Prevention & Intervention

ReDirect works to identify, assess and help youth and young people who are vulnerable to being radicalized.

People can be referred to us by concerned parents, teachers, community leaders or anyone else who knows them well enough to observe concerning behaviours. Making a referral to us is not the same as reporting a suspicious person to the police. Our main goal is to prevent criminal behaviour by giving people the supports they need, rather than enforcing the law.

ReDirect is not a de-radicalization program. It uses early intervention and prevention strategies to work with young people before the process of radicalization occurs, or is in its earliest stages.

Our Process

When we receive a referral, the first thing that happens is that the ReDirect Coordinator reviews the referral to decide whether the person is a good fit for our program. This assessment is based on three criteria:

Engagement with a radical cause or ideology

Intent to cause harm

Ability to cause harm

The coordinator may decide that the person is at risk for criminal behaviour or has other needs, but not due to radicalization. In those cases, the coordinator may refer the person to another youth intervention program.

If the person is a good fit for ReDirect, then the case is reviewed by the Case Planning Team. If they decide the person should be accepted into the program, the team then develops an individualized support plan for that person. The support plan can include referrals to outside programs and a variety of different professionals.Individuals in the program are also assigned to the ReDirect team, made up of a police officer and social worker. This team provides instant support and mentorship to the person and meets with them regularly to work through the individualized support plan.

The individual’s progress is measured through regular evaluations by the Case Planning Team and the support plan can be changed as needed. Once the team is confident that the person is no longer vulnerable to radicalization, then the person has completed the program.

Once a person transitions out of our program, their support does not immediately end. The ReDirect team will follow up with them at regular intervals to provide support and determine if the person requires further intensive support and help.